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Masters Cup - webnews

THEY prised apart the petals of the Qi Zhong stadium so the tennis gods could feast their eyes on the acclaim of the latest and most graphic demonstration of Roger Federer's brilliance.

A chill suddenly descended, one that will have been felt by anyone who believes that they can challenge his supremacy next year, or for as long as tennis takes his fancy.

Federer's third Masters Cup success in four years - he would have almost certainly won last year, had he not been incapacitated and playing at 75 per cent - was further proof that the Swiss is a special athlete indeed, one in complete command of himself and all he surveys.

"The difference is that Roger is completely relaxed with life," his coach, Tony Roche, said.

Roger Federer, king of the court (Sportingo)

The Mozart of tennis defies the laws of physics in raising the sport to a new level.

From the outset of the Masters Cup tournament during the past week, it was clear that there could only be one winner. The beauty of top-class competitive sport is that everybody has a chance of upsetting the odds and emerging victorious. It's always true except when Roger Federer plays as well as he has in the Shanghai event when there was no doubting that he alone would be the winner.

These days Federer is in a realm of his own, and on Sunday's showing none of the current crop of players -- indeed, probably nobody in the history of modern tennis including Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras -- could claim to be as good.

James Blake is not in the same class and even Rafael Nadal -- who has the measure of his rival on clay -- cannot genuinely match the class of the man whom most experts now agree, is peerless among all tennis players.

Federer caps year in overpowering style (The Seattle Times)

Federer too much for everyone: James Blake learned what has become a fact of life on the tennis tour.

"Obviously, we're all chasing Roger," he said. "It's no secret. He's playing head and shoulders above the rest of us."

Looking more imposing with every tournament, Roger Federer concluded another overpowering season Sunday by routing Blake 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 for his third Masters Cup title in Shanghai, China.

The Swiss star has been ranked No. 1 since Feb. 2, 2004, and already has enough points to ensure he'll break Jimmy Connors' record of 160 consecutive weeks atop the rankings by the end of February. Only two players — Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray — beat Federer this year.

Perfect end to Federer's stellar season (chron.com)

In life or tennis, perfection is an impossibly elusive goal, and Roger Federer would tell you he's hardly there yet.

But Federer's latest tour-de-tour season in 2006 might have re-established the boundaries of what's humanly possible, at least on a tennis court.

With his 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 rout of James Blake in the Masters Cup final in Shanghai on Sunday, which he did concede was "the perfect ending to an incredible season," he claimed his 12th tournament title, a personal best, and ended the year with a 29-match winning streak to finish 92-5.

That's a winning percentage of .948. John McEnroe set the record of .964 (82-3) in 1984. But McEnroe won just two majors among his 14 titles, opting to skip the Australian Open and losing in the French Open final.

Federer's victories included three majors plus the season-ending championship (which McEnroe also won in 1984), and he came within two sets of claiming the first calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver did it for the first time as a professional in 1969.

King Roger looks to extend his reign into the new year (Business Day)

SHANGHAI - Roger Federer left the court at the Qi Zhong tennis centre yesterday to the strains of Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best”, and for once the hackneyed sporting standard was appropriate.

The 25-year-old Swiss world number one had just humbled American James Blake in three sets to add the Masters Cup to the Australian Open, US Open, Wimbledon and eight other titles he won this year.

“This is my time,” the nine-times grand slam winner said last week and it is an era he is hoping to extend well into the new year.

“I hope it stays for a little bit longer, the domination,” he said after yesterday’s final.

“It’s very difficult to keep it up. I had to play, I don’t know, over 90 great matches to win so it takes a lot out of you.

“The travelling is tough. But I hope I can keep it up and stay healthy. I definitely give myself a good chance to play well again next year.

“But we’ll see if somebody new comes up or I just can’t maintain that level of play. I hope I can, and I’m looking forward to the challenge next year.

Federer completes near perfect year (Lawntennisnews)

Roger Federer showed that he is fast on his way to becoming a tennis legend. The world number 1 eased to victory against American James Blake in the Masters Cup final. The Swiss master won 4 of the 5 major titles this year and came close to winning all 5 at Roland Garros.

Federer is also on course to break Jimmy Connors record of staying on top for 160 weeks.

The only player to threaten the world number 1 was American Andy Roddick, who showed some up and down form. Roddick won only 1 of his 3 matches.

Rafael Nadal showed fighting spirit in reaching the semifinals, but then had to bow his head to the superiority of Federer on the faster courts.

Belated congratulations on another amazing win and year. I became your fan this year and I am so glad I did, you brought back my passion for the game. Your tennis and your personality are an example for me to become a better person and b

Roger....
How proud your famlily must be.specially your parents.
Steady head on strong shoulders...proud of the accomplishment,yet humble of the vulnerability...You will be on top for years to come.
CONGRATS..

You are so amazing.. Me, too, can't find enough words to describe you fully... You put tennis to a higher level.. You're GREAT. How I wish to see you play in person with such a great courts around the world. Xi Zhong is one of those.

Roger you are the KING of tennis . You were fantastic against Nadal . I have never seen you play so well . Have a fantastic holiday with Mirka and I can't wait to see you next year. You have given me a greater love of tennis than I already had. Bless you